Diners leapt from their seats as a storm blew through an outdoor restaurant in Thailand on Wednesday.

The locals were interrupted from their dinner by a sudden thunderstorm that hit the Kung Yim restaurant in Chiang Mai province on March 16 evening.

Shop owner Nan said: 'Cups, plates, and glasses were damaged when they were knocked down by the wind. The worst part is that the customers were shocked and scared.'

Nan added that rain covers will be installed in the restaurant to prevent such incidents in the future.

The Thai Meteorological Department said that the easterly and the southeasterly winds were prevailing over northern Thailand, bringing hot weather with chances of thunderstorms across the provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Lamphun, and Lampang from March 17 to 21.

The agency said low pressure was affecting northern Thailand, close to the border with China, due to the heat.